In the second instalment of an investigation into illicit tobacco, Stuff delves into the world of homegrown ‘chop’. He’ll also grab a shredder to turn dried, loose-leaf tobacco into the fine material the filling machine will jam into the tubes as it whirrs away spitting out smokes. It is known on the street as ‘chop’, ‘chop-chop’, ‘Tongan chop’ or ‘Tongan tobacco’ – the latter two arising from its prevalence in the Tongan community. An intermediary was able to procure a bag of “Tapaka Tonga” loose-leaf tobacco, sold via clandestine networks at a south Auckland factory. “We were able to show that loophole was being exploited.”Now, a permit is required to import loose-leaf tobacco.

Source: Stuff June 05, 2021 16:52 UTC